Confirmed: EFL Championship winners Leeds United offer new deal to talented Nigerian defender

Following the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season that saw them crowned EFL Championship winners, Leeds United have officially submitted their retained list to the English Football League.

Among the academy players offered new terms is highly-rated London-born Nigerian defender, James Debayo.

The 19-year-old centre-back has been rewarded with a contract extension after making significant strides over the past season.

Debayo featured in 24 matchday squads in the Championship, making his league debut during a 4-3 victory over Swansea City on November 24.

He made his second senior appearance in February during an Emirates FA Cup clash against Millwall.

Well-regarded within the club's coaching setup, Debayo has frequently trained with the first team and is viewed as a future senior player.

His impressive performances for Leeds United's development squad in Premier League 2, the Premier League Cup and the National League Cup have further underlined his potential.

Notably, he scored against Brighton & Hove Albion in a development fixture in March.

Leeds United secured Debayo’s signature in the summer of 2021, overcoming stiff competition from Premier League sides including Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove and Southampton in what was considered a major youth recruitment coup.

Football talent runs in the family—James is the younger brother of Josh Debayo, who was part of the Golden Eaglets training squad ahead of the 2013 Fifa U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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